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How to Use Dynamic File Paths to Update Excel in Power Automate

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to design a Power Automate flow that processes SharePoint CSV files, matches UniqueID values to select specific folders, and dynamically updates existing Excel tables.

Product: Microsoft Power Automate
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Automating data workflows from SharePoint CSV files to existing Excel tables using dynamic folder paths.
Observed behavior: The user requires a complex custom flow design to handle SharePoint folders, CSV parsing, list lookups, and dynamic Excel table updates.

Before you start

Before creating your flow, ensure your target Excel file contains properly formatted Tables (Insert > Table), as Power Automate requires named tables to update specific rows.

Solution 1Recommended

Designing a Flow with Dynamic Excel File Paths

Follow these core structural steps to build a flow that reads CSVs, matches IDs, and dynamically targets Excel tables, then consult the community for advanced expressions.

Implementing dynamic file paths in Power Automate requires constructing variables at runtime rather than hardcoding file selections from the dropdown menus.

Retrieve the CSV from SharePoint

Use the 'Get file content' action in SharePoint to read the CSV data containing your UniqueID values.

Parse the CSV Data

Add a 'Compose' action with a split expression or use a CSV parser connector to split the CSV rows and map them to dynamic JSON arrays.

Match UniqueID and Define Dynamic Paths

Use a 'Condition' or 'Apply to each' loop to match the UniqueID. Create a custom string variable that constructs the dynamic SharePoint folder path based on this ID.

Update the Target Excel Table

Add the 'Update a row' Excel Online (Business) action. Click the 'Enter custom value' option for the File and Table fields to input your dynamic path variables instead of selecting a static file.

Consult the Power Automate Community for Customization

For complex template copying and custom list lookups, post your exact folder structure, column names, and requirements in the Microsoft Power Automate Community where experts can provide detailed expression guidance.

Custom Identifiers Required: When using dynamic file paths, you must provide the Excel file's unique GUID or properly formatted SharePoint document library path to ensure the flow locates the file accurately.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Power Automate require a Table to update Excel rows?

Power Automate relies on the Microsoft Graph API, which interacts specifically with named objects like Tables in Excel to accurately identify column headers and rows for updates, rather than relying on unstructured sheet data.

Can I use dynamic paths in the Excel 'Update a row' action?

Yes. By selecting 'Enter custom value' in the File and Table dropdowns of the action, you can pass dynamic variables or expressions that generate the exact file path and table name at runtime.

How do I extract data from a CSV in Power Automate without premium connectors?

You can use the native 'Compose' action with a split expression to separate the CSV into individual rows based on line breaks, followed by an 'Apply to each' loop to separate the comma-delimited columns into usable dynamic values.

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